LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Hesston College volleyball team battled Haskell Indian Nations University on Tuesday, Oct. 27, but fell in four sets, 22-25, 25-17, 18-25, 15-25.
The Larks started strong in the opening set, overcoming an early 5-2 deficit with a run that put them ahead 10-6. Delayna Kerry delivered two kills during the stretch, while Jaycee Ray added another to force a Haskell timeout. Hesston extended its advantage to 18-11, but Haskell rallied to tie the set at 19-19. A late kill from Ray gave the Larks a 22-21 lead before Haskell scored four straight points to take the opener, 25-22.
Hesston responded in the second set, jumping ahead 8-2 behind three early kills from Kennedie Esparza. The Larks maintained control throughout the set, extending their lead to 19-10 and later 21-11 following a service ace from Kerry. Esparza delivered another kill to bring Hesston to set point, and the Larks closed out a 25-17 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set featured a back-and-forth battle. After falling behind 10-6, Hesston rallied with five consecutive points, highlighted by a block from Trinity Griffin and Layla Romero and a service ace from Ray, to take an 11-10 lead. The teams traded points before Haskell pulled ahead 17-14. The Larks fought back to within two at 20-18 following consecutive kills from Lydia Foster, but Haskell scored the final five points to claim the set, 25-18.
Hesston opened the fourth set with a 4-1 advantage, but Haskell answered and eventually took control. The Larks stayed within striking distance early, trailing 11-9, before Haskell extended its lead to 16-11. A late scoring run pushed the hosts ahead 23-13. Ray delivered a service ace as Hesston attempted to rally, but Haskell finished the set 25-15 to secure the match.
Ray led the Larks with 11 kills, two service aces and five total blocks. Esparza added 10 kills and 12 digs, while Foster contributed seven kills and three block assists.
Kerry recorded 19 digs, 13 assists and three service aces, while Rebekah Blackmer led Hesston with 22 assists. Sarahi Paez added 18 digs, and Bethanie Haag finished with nine.
Hesston totaled 40 kills, 76 digs and eight team blocks but struggled with offensive consistency, hitting .067 for the match. Haskell finished with 43 kills, a .152 hitting percentage and 12 service aces.
The loss moves Hesston to 16-11 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
The Larks will look to bounce back Thursday, Oct. 29, when they travel to Kansas City, Mo., to face Calvary University at 6 p.m.
